Keep an eye on your place with this super inexpensive wireless outdoor security camera

from the desk of Rich on Tech

Sep 05, 2020

Happy Labor Day weekend!

It’s going to be a hot one here in Southern California, so stay cool and find some shade.

As I write this, I’m another year older, and hopefully a bit wiser, too. I think you’ll notice an overall improvement in the quality of this particular newsletter.

Well, maybe not, but I did celebrate my birthday last week. We went down to San Diego to a fun little resort that felt a bit frozen in time, which we loved. Just good old fashioned family time in a setting reminiscent of Hawaii. We had a blast.

Before we get into today’s newsletter, just be aware that we are deep into the holiday gadget season. There so many new smartphones and other items being released, I’m not trying to push you to upgrade at all. I’m just showing you what’s new out there. If you’re happy with what you got, by all means, keep it.

One more thing: if you like this newsletter, hit the little heart at the top or bottom before you close it out so I know that you’re getting some value out of it.

Samsung nails it with the Galaxy Note20 Ultra

It took a bit, but Samsung got nearly everything right on its latest Note smartphone. In fact, between an amazing camera, gorgeous screen and blazing fast speed, it’s been tough for me to put this phone down.

Literally my only downside is that this phone is big and expensive. Otherwise, this is definitely the best Android phone around, I just wish they made it in a slightly smaller form factor (technically, they do but you lose some of the notable features and the price doesn’t adjust downward enough).

My review: https://ktla.com/morning-news/technology/samsung-galaxy-note20-ultra-review-richontech/

This $50 wireless outdoor security camera is pretty awesome

Another gadget that is getting some pretty high accolades is the new Wyze Cam Outdoor. It’s $50 for a “starter bundle” which includes a camera and the base you need to operate it. After that, the cameras are $40 apiece. A base supports up to four of them.

Wow, that sounds like a math problem my kid would have to complete. I’ll save you the trouble: for $170 you can have a wireless camera on four corners of your home.

The video quality is just fine, nothing spectacular, and you only get 12-second clips of any action before the camera “cools off” for at least a minute before recording again, but this camera is a super-easy way to add a bit of video monitoring anywhere.

My review: https://ktla.com/morning-news/technology/wyze-cam-outdoor-camera-review-richontech/

Remember everything with these handy transcription tools

As a journalist, I do a lot of interviews. Recently, I’ve been transcribing what people say as an easy way to go back and find the best bits or confirm something I thought I heard them say.

I use Google’s amazing Recorder app, but I did a little digging and found some other tools as well.

Even Microsoft recently added an easy way to upload audio files inside Word documents to have them magically transcribed thanks to a bit of AI.

Other tools include Descript and Otter.AI. Here’s my look at all of them:

https://ktla.com/morning-news/technology/transcribe-audio-to-text-free-google-docs-microsoft-word-smartphone-zoom/

Wireless charging leaps forward

Wireless charging can be a frustrating experience, but a new product from Nomad wants to make it a simpler process. They’ve come up with a charging pad that allows you to charge up to three gadgets at once and there’s no need to “line them up.”

You can just drop them on the pad, the software finds them and directs a charge to them.

It’s still a slower process than a wire, but you can have this on your desk and pick up and place your items down multiple times throughout the day, which is more convenient than re-plugging or aligning them perfectly each time.

The Nomad Base Station Pro is pricey at $230 but it is seriously cool. In my testing, it works best with Apple products, but it does charge some Androids too.

My review: https://ktla.com/morning-news/technology/nomad-base-station-pro-review-apple-watch-richontech/

Rich on Tech Podcast

In my podcast, I answer the questions you send me and talk about the tech news I think you should know about. In this week’s episode:

Hands on impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2; Facebook's tool to directly transfer photos to Dropbox; Nomad Base Station Pro wireless charger; Consent-O-Matic chrome extension; HearHere audio road trip app; using Google's Saved feature.

Listeners ask about the WD My Cloud Duo, a way to play music in veterinary exam rooms, 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz Wifi signals, replacing the battery on an aging Samsung phone, whether to keep or ditch a MacBook Pro and why Verizon is discontinuing Ring Back tones.

Listen: https://bit.ly/RichOnTechPodcast